Gavin McKenna not with Maple Leafs’ No. 1 power-play unit to begin preseason, tell me about this news in (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7610240/2026/09/19/maple-leafs-preseason-lineup-mckenna/)
19-09-2026
The report highlights the Toronto Maple Leafs’ plan for managing 18-year-old rookie forward Gavin McKenna as he enters his first NHL preseason.
Key details from the reporting:
Power-Play Deployment: McKenna was omitted from Toronto’s top power-play unit to start camp. Instead, the primary unit featured established veterans and regular contributors, including Auston Matthews, William Nylander, John Tavares, Darren Raddysh, and Jack Roslovic.
Coaching Philosophy: Head coach Jim Hiller explained that the team is deliberately taking a measured, cautious approach with McKenna’s workload. Rather than putting immediate pressure on the rookie to run the top unit, the coaching staff wants to see how he adapts to NHL exhibition game speed first and adjust his role incrementally as he proves himself against professional competition.
Even-Strength Role: Despite not being on PP1, McKenna is receiving a major opportunity at 5-on-5. He has been skating on the second line at left wing alongside John Tavares and William Nylander.
Team Reception: Both Tavares and Nylander expressed high praise for McKenna’s elite vision, playmaking instincts, and puck protection during camp sessions, noting that he carries natural confidence and puck skills without needing to force plays. McKenna himself acknowledged that while the opportunity to skate with top talent is exciting, his spot and special-teams roles are things he intends to earn day by day.